Tue Jul 15 01:35:04 2008

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Bartoli advances at Bank of the West Classic

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Stanford, CA (Sports Network) - Sixth-seeded Marion Bartoli advanced in straight sets in first-round action, while American Linsday Davenport withdrew from the $600,000 Bank of the West Classic tennis event.

Bartoli eased to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova to advance to the second round. The Frenchwoman was the only seeded player to play Monday, when American Lindsay Davenport pulled out of the event.

Davenport wasn't scheduled to play until Tuesday, but she withdrew because of a right knee injury that also forced her out of the second round at Wimbledon last month.

The former world No. 1 was scheduled to play Italy's Francecsa Schiavone. Instead, Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak will contest that match, and Australian Samantha Stosur will replace Davenport in the draw.

Among other winners in Monday's action on the hardcourts at Taube Family Tennis Stadium was Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko, who defeated American Ashley Harkleroad 7-5, 6-2.

Japan's Ai Sugiyama fought for a three-set victory over wildcard American Alexa Glatch, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5. Austrian Sybille Bammer won 7-5, 6-2 over Olga Govortsova of Belarus. Additionally, Russian Alisa Kleybanova defeated countrywoman Elena Vesnina in three sets, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.

Anna Chakvetadze is the defending champion, having bested Indian Sania Mirza in last year's finale. This year's top seeds are Serena Williams and Chakvetadze. The 2008 Stanford titlist will collect $95,500.